optics library

Optics is the study of the properties and behavior of light. In this section you can learn about everything from holograms to lasers and lenses.

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Photometry

Photometry, the measurement of the intensity of light and the illumination it produces.

Polarized Light

Polarized Light, light in which individual light waves are aligned parallel to one another.

Prism (optics)

Prism, in optics, a transparent object with at least two sides at angles to each other.

Purple

Purple, a color that is a mixture of red and blue. Purple is a general term that includes specific colors such as violet, Tyrian purple, mauve, and lavender.

Rainbow

Rainbow, an arc or circle of light of different colors, caused by the refraction and reflection of sunlight by drops of water.

Range Finder

Range Finder, an optical instrument for measuring distance. Range finders are used mainly in photography for focusing cameras and in gunnery for aiming artillery.

Red

Red, a color. Orange-red is a primary color of light. When mixed with violet-blue and green light, it forms white light.

Reflection

Reflection, the bending back of waves, such as light waves, radio waves, or sound waves, from a surface.

Refraction

Refraction, the bending of waves, such as light waves, when they pass from one substance to another.

Shadow

Shadow, a dark area within or next to an illuminated one. Shadows are caused by the blocking of light by an object.

Spectroscopy

Spectroscopy, the study of matter and its properties by the use of spectra. Each chemical element, when heated so that it gives off light, yields a different series of lines in a spectrum.

Spectrum

Spectrum (plural: Spectra), the distribution of radiant energy arranged by wavelength, frequency, or some other measurable order.

Vermilion

Vermilion, a bright scarlet pigment used to make paint and to color rubber and other substances.

Violet (color)

Violet, a reddish-blue color. The light rays that produce it have the shortest wavelength of any in the visible spectrum.

White

White, the color of a substance that reflects all the colors of sunlight. It can also be produced by a mixture, in equal proportions, of the optical primaries because these colors (violet-blue, green, and orange-red) can be combined to produce all other colors.